Open mike 15/10/09
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- Date published:
6:00 am, October 15th, 2009 - 28 comments
Categories: open mike -
Tags: play nice
We’re trying a daily “Open mike”.
This is a place for anyone to post comments on topics that might be of interest, and for any discussion following up on the comments. Over to you…
28 comments on “Open mike 15/10/09 ”
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- A Note of Caution.
The repeal of Roe vs Wade by the US Supreme Court is part of a broader “New Conservative” agenda financed by reactionary billionaires like Peter Thiel, Elon Mush, the Kochs and Murdochs (and others), organised by agitators like Steve Bannon and Rodger Stone and legally weaponised by Conservative (often Catholic) ...10 hours ago - An Act Of National Self-Harm.
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- Prime Minister’s Matariki speech 2022Matariki tohu mate, rātou ki a rātou Matariki tohu ora, tātou ki a tātou Tīhei Matariki Matariki – remembering those who have passed Matariki – celebrating the present and future Salutations to Matariki I want to begin by thanking everyone who is here today, and in particular the Matariki ...4 days ago
- First Matariki holiday marked across New Zealand and the worldOho mai ana te motu i te rangi nei ki te hararei tūmatanui motuhake tuatahi o Aotearoa, Te Rā Aro ki a Matariki, me te hono atu a te Pirīmia a Jacinda Ardern ki ngā mahi whakanui a te motu i tētahi huihuinga mō te Hautapu i te ata nei. ...4 days ago
- Minister to attend second United Nations Ocean Conference in PortugalOceans and Fisheries Minister David Parker will represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the second United Nations (UN) Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, which runs from 27 June to 1 July. The Conference will take stock of progress and aims to galvanise further action towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, to "conserve and sustainably use ...4 days ago
- Government supports innovative dairy sheep sector to scale upThe Government is boosting its partnership with New Zealand’s dairy sheep sector to help it lift its value and volume, and become an established primary industry, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has announced. “Globally, the premium alternative dairy category is growing by about 20 percent a year. With New Zealand food ...5 days ago
- Government supports Buller flood recovery and longer term resilienceThe Government is continuing to support the Buller district to recover from severe flooding over the past year, Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty announced today during a visit with the local leadership. An extra $10 million has been announced to fund an infrastructure recovery programme, bringing the total ...5 days ago
- Government outlines plans for future COVID-19 variants“The Government has undertaken preparatory work to combat new and more dangerous variants of COVID-19,” COVID-19 Response Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall set out today. “This is about being ready to adapt our response, especially knowing that new variants will likely continue to appear. “We have undertaken a piece of work ...5 days ago
- Next steps for NZ UK free trade agreementThe Government’s strong trade agenda is underscored today with the introduction of the United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement Legislation Bill to the House, Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. “I’m very pleased with the quick progress of the United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement Legislation Bill being introduced ...6 days ago
- Five new members join education Youth Advisory GroupA ministerial advisory group that provides young people with an opportunity to help shape the education system has five new members, Minister of Education Chris Hipkins said today. “I am delighted to announce that Harshinni Nayyar, Te Atamihi Papa, Humaira Khan, Eniselini Ali and Malakai Tahaafe will join the seven ...6 days ago
- Address to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons First Meeting of States PartyAustria Centre, Vienna [CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY] E ngā mana, e ngā reo Tēnā koutou katoa Thank you, Mr President. I extend my warm congratulations to you on the assumption of the Presidency of this inaugural meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. You ...6 days ago
- Govt makes sure support workers have right to take pay-equity claimThe Government is taking action to make sure homecare and support workers have the right to take a pay-equity claim, while at the same time protecting their current working conditions and delivering a pay rise. “In 2016, homecare and support workers – who look after people in their own homes ...6 days ago
- Targeted second COVID-19 booster a step closerA law change passed today streamlines the process for allowing COVID-19 boosters to be given without requiring a prescription. Health Minister Andrew Little said the changes made to the Medicines Act were a more enduring way to manage the administration of vaccine boosters from now on. “The Ministry of Health’s ...6 days ago
- Commerce Commission empowered to crackdown on covenantsNew powers will be given to the Commerce Commission allowing it to require supermarkets to hand over information regarding contracts, arrangements and land covenants which make it difficult for competing retailers to set up shop. “The Government and New Zealanders have been very clear that the grocery sector is not ...6 days ago
- Plasterboard taskforce set up to ease shortagesMinisterial taskforce of industry experts will give advice and troubleshoot plasterboard shortages Letter of expectation sent to Fletcher Building on trademark protections A renewed focus on competition in the construction sector The Minister for Building and Construction Megan Woods has set up a Ministerial taskforce with key construction, building ...7 days ago
- First Matariki public holiday celebrated with a unique broadcasting collaborationMinister for Māori Development Willie Jackson and Minister for Māori Crown Relations Te Arawhiti Kelvin Davis announced today the inaugural Matariki public holiday will be marked by a pre-dawn hautapu ceremony at Te Papa Tongarewa, and will be a part of a five-hour broadcast carried by all major broadcasters in ...7 days ago
- Health volunteers recognised at ParliamentVolunteers from all over the country are being recognised in this year’s Minister of Health Volunteer Awards, just announced at an event in Parliament’s Grand Hall. “These awards celebrate and recognise the thousands of dedicated health and disability sector volunteers who give many hours of their time to help other ...1 week ago
- Trade Minister to travel to Europe, Canada and Australia to advance economic recoveryNew Zealand’s trade agenda continues to build positive momentum as Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor travels to Europe, Canada and Australia to advance New Zealand’s economic interests. “Our trade agenda has excellent momentum, and is a key part of the Government’s wider plan to help provide economic security for ...1 week ago
- Prime Minister to travel to Europe and AustraliaPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern will leave this weekend to travel to Europe and Australia for a range of trade, tourism and foreign policy events. “This is the third leg of our reconnecting plan as we continue to promote Aotearoa New Zealand’s trade and tourism interests. We’re letting the world know ...1 week ago
- Remarks to ICAN Nuclear Ban Forum session “The Ban is the Plan and this is Why”[CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY] Nga mihi ki a koutou. Let me start by acknowledging the nuclear survivors, the people who lost their lives to nuclear war or testing, and all the peoples driven off their lands by nuclear testing, whose lands and waters were poisoned, and who suffer the inter-generational health ...1 week ago
- New Zealand leadership contributes to significant progress at the WTONew Zealand’s leadership has contributed to a number of significant outcomes and progress at the Twelfth Ministerial Conference (MC12) of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which concluded in the early hours of Friday morning after a week of intense negotiations between its 164 members. A major outcome is a new ...1 week ago
- Meth addiction service launched in Eastern Bay of PlentyThe Government has delivered on its commitment to roll out the free methamphetamine harm reduction programme Te Ara Oranga to the eastern Bay of Plenty, with services now available in Murupara. “We’re building a whole new mental health system, and that includes expanding successful programmes like Te Ara Oranga,” Health ...1 week ago
- Creatives in Schools Round 4 open for applicationsKura and schools around New Zealand can start applying for Round 4 of the Creatives in Schools programme, Minister for Education Chris Hipkins and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni said today. Both ministers were at Auckland’s Rosehill Intermediate to meet with the ākonga, teachers and the professional ...2 weeks ago
- Opening speech for MEETINGS 2022It is my pleasure to be here at MEETINGS 2022. I want to start by thanking Lisa and Steve from Business Events Industry Aotearoa and everyone that has been involved in organising and hosting this event. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to welcome you all here. It is ...2 weeks ago
- Reconnecting across the Tasman: Australia – Aotearoa New Zealand Foreign Minister ConsultationsAotearoa New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Nanaia Mahuta and Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, met in Wellington today for the biannual Australia - Aotearoa New Zealand Foreign Minister Consultations. Minister Mahuta welcomed Minister Wong for her first official visit to Aotearoa New Zealand ...2 weeks ago
- Global challenges reflected in March quarter GDPThe volatile global situation has been reflected in today’s quarterly GDP figures, although strong annual growth shows New Zealand is still well positioned to deal with the challenging global environment, Grant Robertson said. GDP fell 0.2 percent in the March quarter, as the global economic trends caused exports to fall ...2 weeks ago
- One million New Zealanders vaccinated against fluMore than a million New Zealanders have already received their flu vaccine in time for winter, but we need lots more to get vaccinated to help relieve pressure on the health system, Health Minister Andrew Little says. “Getting to one million doses by June is a significant milestone and sits ...2 weeks ago
- NZ Principals Federation MOOT SPEECH -Friday 10 June 2022 It’s a pleasure to be here today in person “ka nohi ke te ka nohi, face to face as we look back on a very challenging two years when you as Principals, as leaders in education, have pivoted, and done what you needed to do, under challenging circumstances for your ...2 weeks ago
- Provincial Growth Fund already delivering jobs and economic boost to the regionsThe Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is successfully creating jobs and boosting regional economic growth, an independent evaluation report confirms. Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash announced the results of the report during a visit to the Mihiroa Marae in Hastings, which recently completed renovation work funded through the PGF. ...2 weeks ago
- Pre-departure tests removed from June 20Travellers to New Zealand will no longer need a COVID-19 pre-departure test from 11.59pm Monday 20 June, COVID-19 Response Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “We’ve taken a careful and staged approach to reopening our borders to ensure we aren’t overwhelmed with an influx of COVID-19 cases. Our strategy has ...2 weeks ago
- Foreign Minister to attend CHOGMForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will travel to Rwanda this week to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali. “This is the first CHOGM meeting since 2018 and I am delighted to be representing Aotearoa New Zealand,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “Reconnecting New Zealand with the ...2 weeks ago
- Joint Statement: Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS) at MC12We, the Ministers for trade from Costa Rica, Fiji, Iceland, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland, welcome the meeting of Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS) partners on 15 June 2022, in Geneva to discuss progress on negotiations for the ACCTS. Our meeting was chaired by Hon Damien O’Connor, New Zealand’s Minister for ...2 weeks ago
- New Chief Censor appointedInternal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti has today announced Caroline Flora as the new Chief Censor of Film and Literature, for a three-year term from 20 July. Ms Flora is a senior public servant who has recently held the role of Associate Deputy‑Director General System Strategy and Performance at the Ministry ...2 weeks ago
- Government tackles elder abuseEleven projects are being funded as part of the Government’s efforts to prevent elder abuse, Minister for Seniors Dr Ayesha Verrall announced as part of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. “Sadly one in 10 older people experience elder abuse in New Zealand, that is simply unacceptable,” Ayesha Verrall said. “Our ...2 weeks ago
- New connectivity funding for more rural homes and businessesMore New Zealand homes, businesses and communities will soon benefit from fast and reliable connectivity, regardless of where they live, study and work,” Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications, David Clark said today. “The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us time and again how critical a reliable connection is for ...2 weeks ago
- National MPs committed to not changing abortion law, Luxon says
The Opposition leader says all his MPs are united around the commitment not to change abortion law, as former Justice Minister Amy Adams says restricting the law would be "absolutely soul-destroying". ...6 hours ago - Drought increases rural suicide, and climate change will make drought worse
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ivan Charles Hanigan, Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health Impact Assessment and Senior Lecturer in Climate Change and Health, , Faculty of Health Science, School of Population Health, Curtin University., Curtin University Shutterstock New research has found suicide increases ...7 hours ago - Oops – our well-being is likely to be bruised as NZ slips down international rankings and we slum...
For long enough New Zealanders have liked to think they enjoyed one of the highest living standards in the world. More recently those familiar with what is happening in those countries which are leading the world have understood NZ has been slipping down the ladder. Under a Labour-led government, the slide ...7 hours ago - Hospital Crisis Demands Mandates On Health Care Professionals Be Dropped
In the face of the greatest health crisis the country has ever faced more than 3000 health care professionals are sitting at home twiddling their thumbs. Hospitals are paying GPs ridiculous amounts to moonlight for emergency departments to cope with ...7 hours ago - Debbie Ngarewa-Packer Visiting Portugal To Build Coalition To End Deep Sea MiningTe Pāti Māori Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer MP was to travel to Lisbon, Portugal to help build an international coalition against deep sea mining at the United Nations Oceans Conference 2022. This comes off the back of a 36,000 strong petition to ban ...7 hours ago
- Australia is one of few countries that doesn’t pay session musicians ongoing royalties. Our music ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rod Davies, Lecturer in popular music and songwriting, Monash University Shutterstock Most of the music we listen to is made by session musicians. These guns for hire are experts in their field, much sought after and often bring a unique ...9 hours ago
- Government to give further $4.5 million for Ukraine war supportAs the war in Ukraine rolls on, New Zealand is providing another $4.5m through NATO, extending NZDF deployments in Europe, and legal support for international courts. ...10 hours ago
- Some see NZ’s invite to the NATO summit as a reward for a shift in foreign policy, but that’s fa...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert G. Patman, Professor of International Relations, University of Otago Getty Images/Hagen Hopkins Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s acceptance of an invitation to speak at this week’s NATO leaders’ summit in Madrid has fuelled a narrative that New Zealand’s independent foreign ...10 hours ago
- The Bible says nothing about abortion. So being anti-choice is a cultural and political decision, no...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sean Winter, Associate Professor (New Testament Studies), University of Divinity In many churches across the United States of America, and even perhaps here in Australia, Sunday worship would have been an opportunity to celebrate the decision of the US Supreme Court to ...10 hours ago
- Physio ‘dry needling’ and acupuncture – what’s the difference and what does the evidence say...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wayne Hing, Professor, Physiotherapy, Bond University Shutterstock Physiotherapists are increasingly offering needling therapies in addition to their standard care. Many Australian physiotherapists in private practice now offer dry needling or Western medical acupuncture as part of a treatment approach. Is ...10 hours ago
- Live: Grant Robertson speaks after Cabinet meetingAs the war in Ukraine rolls on, New Zealand is providing another $4.5m through NATO, extending NZDF deployments in Europe, and legal support for international courts. ...10 hours ago
- PNG police stop seven trucks and seize ‘sensitive’ election materialsBy Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby Papua New Guinean security forces have intercepted and stopped seven trucks carrying seven containers containing sensitive election material in the Southern Highlands after it was found that the containers had been allegedly tampered with. “Manager Alwyn Jimmy called police in SHP to stop the ...11 hours ago
- Samoa chosen to host next CHOGM meeting in 2024RNZ Pacific The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting has ended in Rwanda with Samoa confirmed as the next host of the meeting. Samoa’s hosting of the 2024 event will be the first time a Pacific member country will host CHOGM Samoa’s Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa attended the meeting in ...11 hours ago
- Steven Ratuva: Pacific agency: A devalued political capital?ANALYSIS: By Professor Steven Ratuva The West and China continue to exert influence over the Pacific region. But discussions of Pacific Island Countries (PICs) are increasingly patronising, framing them as vulnerable, and omitting their agency. In the battle for geopolitical influence and supremacy in the Pacific, the two most visible ...11 hours ago
- Kiri warms towards tougher party funding restrictions (perhaps encouraged by the Nats warning of the...
Buzz from the Beehive The National Party’s strong objection to plans to overhaul New Zealand’s political donations regime, expressed in submissions on the Government’s proposed sweeping changes to electoral law, were reported in a Stuff report last week. The changes would include lowering the threshold for political parties to disclose ...11 hours ago - Facial recognition is on the rise – but the law is lagging a long way behindSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Andrejevic, Professor, School of Media, Film, and Journalism, Monash University, Monash University Shutterstock Private companies and public authorities are quietly using facial recognition systems around Australia. Despite the growing use of this controversial technology, there is little in ...12 hours ago
- Free Buses Or Better Roads? Collins And Molloy Can't Have It Both WaysThe Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance is calling on mayoral candidates Efeso Collins and Leo Molloy to be upfront with voters about whether they will reduce capital investment in roading or increase rates to fund free public transport. There are growing calls ...12 hours ago
- Labor promised to fix Australia’s big water problem. These 6 things must top the to-do listSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stuart Khan, Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney Dean Lewins/AAP During the federal election campaign, Labor promised to future-proof Australia’s water resources. Now, new Water Minister Tanya Plibersek must deliver on the policy – one vital to securing ...13 hours ago
- Family Planning & ASMS behind fully integrated abortionFamily Planning and the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists - Toi Mata Hauora say if one thing can be learned from the overturning of Roe v Wade it is that access to safe abortion and contraceptive care must be embedded as a core service within ...13 hours ago
- Law Commission publishes report on class actionsA new Class Actions Act should be developed to improve access to justice and efficiency in litigation, concludes Te Aka Matua o te Ture | Law Commission in its report, Ko ngā Hunga Take Whaipānga me ngā Pūtea Tautiringa | Class Actions and Litigation ...13 hours ago
- OP-ED: Healthy planet needs ‘ocean action’ from Asian and Pacific countriesOP-Ed by Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana – Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana is the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). As ...13 hours ago
- Can Jacinda Ardern save New Zealand’s free trade deal with the EU?Opinion - Jacinda Ardern needs to deploy every aspect of her starpower if she wants to rescue New Zealand's faltering free trade EU negotiations, writes [Geoffrey Miller. ...13 hours ago
- Cutting crossbench MPs’ staffing would be a setback for democracySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Payne, Adjunct Senior Lecturer, The Sydney School of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney My experience as an adviser to Peter Andren – perhaps the first of the modern-day wave of non-party MPs to arrive in Canberra – suggests Labor’s ...13 hours ago
- Political donations, overseas voting rules to change before election – MinisterPolitical party donations and overseas voting rules will change ahead of next year's general election, Justice Minister Kiri Allan has announced. ...15 hours ago
- Callous pay outcomes for care workers and older peopleGrey Power has accused the Government of abandoning seniors and the health professionals who care for them. ...16 hours ago
- Roe V Wade Reversal: An Assault On RightsOn Friday, 24 June 2022 (local time), millions of United States citizens lost the right to control their bodies and make decisions affecting their lives, families, and futures. The US Supreme Court reached a majority decision to overturn the constitutional ...17 hours ago
- Grant Robertson confident NZ exporters to benefit significantly from EU trade dealDeputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson is confident that New Zealand can get a good deal for exporters from EU trade talks. ...17 hours ago
- Part-time work holds women back from executive positions and accentuates gender pay gap: new dataSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Most women are not working full-time during most of their working lives, which holds them back from management positions and accentuates the pay gap with men, according to data released on Monday. Men on ...18 hours ago
- Young non-smokers in NZ are taking up vaping more than ever before. Here are 5 reasons whySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lindsay Robertson, Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Getty Images The number of young New Zealanders aged 15 to 17 who vape every day has tripled in two years, from 2% in 2018-19 ...18 hours ago
- How to save $50 off your food bill and still eat tasty, nutritious mealsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle Shutterstock Grocery prices have taken a hike upwards for a host of reasons, including the rising costs of petrol, fertiliser and labour. You could “shop around” for cheaper groceries, ...18 hours ago
- Read the room, Premier. Performance pay for teachers will make the crisis worseSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Holloway, Senior Research DECRA Fellow, Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education, Australian Catholic University Without fail, every time a politician is tasked with reforming education, the issue of performance-based pay for teachers is put on the table. It’s odd, really, ...18 hours ago
- Profits push up prices too, so why is the RBA governor only talking about wages?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jim Stanford, Economist and Director, Centre for Future Work, Australia Institute; Honorary Professor of Political Economy, University of Sydney Reserve Bank of Australia governor Phillip Lowe has invoked memories of the 1970s, warning wage growth must be restrained to contain Australia’s surging ...18 hours ago
- How Japanese avant-garde ceramicists have tested the limits of claySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Speck, Emerita Professor, Art History and Curatorship, University of Adelaide Nakashima Harumi, born Ena City, Gifu prefecture, 1950, Struggling forms, c2005, Ena City, Gifu prefecture, porcelain, under and overglaze, 66.0 x 49.0 x 43.0 cm. Collection of Raphy Star Review: ...18 hours ago
- Right To Life Questions Prime Minister’s Response To Roe V Wade OverturnRight to Life - Media Release 25 June 2022 Right to Life questions Prime Minister’s response to Roe v Wade overturn The Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern,is reported by Stuff as saying, that “the Supreme Court’s decision is incredibly upsetting.” ...19 hours ago
- Simple Fix To Gib Crisis...19 hours ago
- Government Joining IHRA Is A Weak, Cowardly DecisionThe government decision to join International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance is a step backwards in the fight against anti-semitism and the struggle for Palestinian human rights The government decision to take on observer status at the International ...19 hours ago
- Charles CHOGM Speech Green Light For Change“Prince Charles had made it clear in his speech to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda today that even the Royal family think it’s time for change” said Lewis Holden, campaign chair of New Zealand Republic. Charles told ...20 hours ago
- The end of Roe: what now for the women of America?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Erica Millar, Senior research fellow, La Trobe University Keith Birmingham/AAP In a post-Roe world, 26 US states are certain or likely to ban abortion and one quarter of abortion clinics are predicted to close. Indeed, many closed the day Roe ...1 day ago
- ‘Call it out’ – Deputy PM says bigotry must not be toleratedDeputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson has spoken out about hate and bigotry online, revealing he has faced homophobic abuse at public meetings recently. ...1 day ago
- PM leaves for Europe with free trade agreement in her sightsThe Prime Minister leaves for Europe today, where she will push to nail down a long-awaited free trade deal with the European Union. ...1 day ago
- Academics announce new Centre of Indigenous Science – and now (it seems) they will find out what t...Any notion that “the science is settled” is (or should be) anathema to good scientists. There is always more to learn “… because the scientific method never provides absolute conclusions. It’s always possible that the next observation will contradict the current consensus.” But in this country the fundamental matter of ...1 day ago
- Sitiveni Rabuka takes Fiji campaign trail to Aotearoa New ZealandRNZ Pacific Sitiveni Rabuka is infamous for making Fiji a republic after carrying out a military coup 35 years ago by overthrowing an Indo-Fijian dominated government to help maintain indigenous supremacy. Rabuka has been a central figure in Fijian politics since 1987 — as the nation’s first coup maker, a ...2 days ago
- Monkeypox is not a global emergency for now, says WHO. 3 things we need to know next about how it’...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By C Raina MacIntyre, Professor of Global Biosecurity, NHMRC Principal Research Fellow, Head, Biosecurity Program, Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock The World Health Organization (WHO) has decided not to declare monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern. This may change ...2 days ago
- 'Complacency is a greater danger than undue alarm' – NZ abortion advocateAn advocate says New Zealand's abortion rights are still vulnerable to change and people can't be complacent. ...2 days ago
- National MP removes post following Roe v Wade decisionNational Party MP Simon O'Connor's social media post saying it was a "good day" after abortion rights in the US were curtailed has been taken down. ...2 days ago
- Culture Minister coy about Film Commission appointments – but she must decide on Dame Kerry’s ro...No appointments or reappointments to the board of the New Zealand Film Commission have been announced by Carmel Sepuloni, Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage, and declared in ministerial press statements since early 2019. Yet the appointments of two board members she announced then (when she was Associate Minister of Arts, ...2 days ago
- US Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade – but for abortion opponents, this is just the beginningSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Prudence Flowers, Senior Lecturer in US History, College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Flinders University The United States Supreme Court has handed down a ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that found there was a constitutional right to ...3 days ago
- The Week in Politics: Another week, another crisisAnalysis - A health 'crisis' is the latest of the government's cascading problems, the Gib board shortage is elevated to ministerial taskforce level and the new police minister gets to work. ...3 days ago
- New Zealand needs a new gang strategy – political consensus would be a good startComment - The concern about gangs and gang-related violence in New Zealand continues to be highly politicised. The problem is these debates often lack history, context or vision. ...3 days ago
- Our flood predictions are getting worse as the climate changes. We have to understand how hills shap...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sally Thompson, Associate professor, The University of Western Australia Shutterstock Protecting people from floods requires many technical professionals to make good predictions and decisions. Meteorologists predict the risk of extreme rainfall. Hydrologists translate this rainfall into predictions about what ...3 days ago
- VIDEO: Federal government brings COVID back onto the agendaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra University of Canberra Professorial Fellow Michelle Grattan and Professor Chris Wallace discuss the week in politics. They canvass the Albanese government’s reaction to Sri Lankan people smugglers trying to reactivate their trade. Meanwhile, the Prime ...3 days ago
- Power Play: Goodfellow's departure an overdue shift in National leadershipThe imminent resignation of National Party President Peter Goodfellow marks a significant shift in the party leadership, after years of triumph and of great turmoil, writes RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson. ...3 days ago
- The Albanese government has committed to enshrining a First Nations Voice in the Constitution. What ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacob Deem, Lecturer – Law, CQUniversity Australia Shutterstock Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his new government have committed to enshrining a First Nations Voice in the Australian Constitution. To do so, a majority of Australians in a majority of states ...3 days ago
- How Operation Phoenix exported violence from Australia to YugoslaviaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Mitchell Lee, PhD Candidate, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The ill-fated nineteen: the only known photo of the Croatian Revolutionary Brotherhood members who went to Yugoslavia in 1972. Wikimedia Fifty years ago this month, in June 1972, Yugoslavia’s ...4 days ago
- How effective is mindfulness for treating mental ill-health? And what about the apps?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicholas T. Van Dam, Associate professor, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock Mindfulness forms part of the trillion-dollar wellness industry, representing 1.5–6% of yearly spending around the world (estimated to be more than US$200 million) on wellness products and services. ...4 days ago
- How Operation Pheonix exported violence from Australia to YugoslaviaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Mitchell Lee, PhD Candidate, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The ill-fated nineteen: the only known photo of the Croatian Revolutionary Brotherhood members who went to Yugoslavia in 1972. Wikimedia Fifty years ago this month, in June 1972, Yugoslavia’s ...4 days ago
- It’s Matariki (if you hadn’t noticed) but we are being urged to celebrate the occasion and not t...Buzz from the Beehive Fresh news – since our previous Buzz – comes from Oceans and Fisheries Minister David Parker. He has announced he will represent New Zealand at the second United Nations (UN) Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, which runs from 27 June to 1 July. Other ministers presumably have gone home for ...4 days ago
- ‘This is when we came of age’, says Māori leader on Matariki 2022RNZ News Today’s Matariki celebrations signal the maturing of Aotearoa New Zealand, says Māori leader Sir Pou Temara. A ceremony attended by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and other dignitaries was held in Wellington to mark the first national public holiday in New Zealand for Matariki. On a still Wellington morning ...4 days ago
- Boycotts in sport may not advance human rights. But they do harm individual athletesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hans Westerbeek, Professor of International Sport Business, Head of Sport Business Insights Group, Victoria University Organisers of Wimbledon, the main draw of which begins on June 27, have found themselves in a quandary over their controversial decision to ban Russian and Belarusian ...4 days ago
- Matariki falls during a quiet retail season – but NZ businesses should be wary of cashing inANALYSIS: By Mike Lee, University of Auckland Aotearoa New Zealand will enjoy a new official public holiday on June 24, with the country marking Matariki — the start of the Māori New Year. But with it comes the temptation for businesses to use the day to drive sales. Some Māori ...4 days ago
- Social justice research network awards trophy to Papuan student advocatePacific Media Centre newsdesk A new Asia Pacific social justice research and publication nonprofit has awarded a diversity communications trophy to a West Papuan postgraduate student who has advocated for the education and welfare of his fellow students. Several dozen Papuan students trying to complete their studies were stranded in ...4 days ago
- Outgoing PNG minister challenges impartiality of officials in demand for fair pollsBy Claudia Tally in Port Moresby The impartiality of officials who have been appointed to manage polling in the National Capital District during the Papua New Guinea general election next month has been questioned. In a first of its kind meeting in Port Moresby yesterday, candidates, police and the election ...4 days ago
- PM hails 'first authentically Māori public holiday'Matariki is a step forward towards understanding what makes us unique as a country, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says. ...4 days ago
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Modern men wimps.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/2965078/Modern-men-called-wimps
Intelligence is far more important than physical ability.
ACC – Loss of income if accident happens while committing a crime.
1. If your injuries are as a result of a motor accident in which you are found guilty of breaking the speed limit… will you be affected?
2. How many fellons would be gainfully employed before they committed their crimes – one assumes they have never been eligible for compensation? Must be a fantastic saving to ACC there.
I think the proposal only cuts in if you’re sentenced to two years or more in prison.
It’s probably one of the less worrying of the cuts – certainly far less worrying than the cuts to seekly compensation for seasonal and casual employees and the vocational independence changes that will see highly qualified people booted off weekly compensation if they are found to be able to do some low paid job.
Sue Bradford referred yesterday to an aircraft engineer who had his weekly compensation stopped because he was found to be able to work as a carpark attendant, and a merchant seaman who had his stopped because he was found to be able to work as a meter reader.
That sort of stuff used to happen – and will happen again, thanks to Nick Smith So much for ACC being about providing “fair compensation for loss from injury”.
How about 2 years jail or $2000 dollar fine, get those white criminals too.
Is subversifpoet going to have to re-write Johnnie’s Boys in a less gender-specific fashion to include Melissa Lee?
This one had me chuckling the other day.
TheStreet.com reports:
Seems there is more than one Melissa Lee into fast money.
our one has never been known to be moderate though.
what about her yelling out ‘idiot’ in parlaiment on tuesday? what an embarrassment.
Another John Key lie spotted by Russell Brown on Radio Wammo – 9:00 minutes in.
Blip: Does Mr Key’s comment qualify as misleading the House?
Dunno. Bloody well should. The last time the Goober misled the House he said that his cycle track had undergone “rigourous costings” when, in fact, nothing of the sort occurred. In that case, Lockwood said the statement did not mislead the House.
Shippers say $1.5b subsidises trucks
Original PDF report here
A study commissioned by the New Zealand Transport Agency on freight transport in New Zealand, including an analysis of the prospects for coastal shipping.
OOB: The ACC Minister is at pains to show that the users should pay the cost of their higher risk. For example motorcyclists. Should trucks reduce the billions that they cost us by paying for the true cost of road usage? $1.5bn could reduce ACC costs.
Yet Joyce says
“It’s just not correct to say there’s any form of subsidy.”
in one breathe, and
“I don’t think there’s any future for the country by widening subsidies to different modes.”
in another. Sounds like he doesn’t know what he is talking about – I’m pretty sure he is wrong, and there is a subsidy for trucks. The cost they pay is less than their share of the total cost and the difference is picked up by the taxpayer, which seems like a subsidy to me.
Not that I am against subsidies, I just want to see that they are applied as fairly as possible across the various transport modes.
It frustrates me that the subsidy is in addition to the subsidies that the transport industry will get under the ETS, which again favours trucks.
Of course the pre-election donation from the Road Transport Forum has had no effect on Mr Joyce’s opinions.
The rise in ACC levies for motorcyclist seemed to have been justified on pretty weak grounds to me. Sure, the costs of motorcycle accident injuries is higher than for car accidents, because cars provide much more protection to their occupants.
But I would be interested in some data on the causes on motorcycle accidents. The proportion of costs created when a car or truck driver is at fault and caused the accidents should be assigned to cars and trucks. Only single vehicle accidents involving motorcycles and the proportion of accidents caused by motorcyclist error should be included in motorcycle ACC levies.
This morning on radio the figure of 30% motorcycle accidents caused by car error.
Was there any information on whether the costs had been assigned between car drivers and motorcyclists, depending on who was at fault? Or were the costs all lumped on to motorcyclists?
I will be happy with a “do your own research” reply.
Armchair:I believe the figure came from a motorcyclist on the end of Morning Report (i think?) and he said that 30% of bike accidents were car error but the figure was listed as bike accident with no weght given to the cars. All lumped together. Sorry that I can’t be more specific. Old age you see.
Granny has something up now.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10603342
Sounds like ACC haven’t thought this through properly, and that like Mr Joyce on RUCs, Mr Judge doesn’t understand what constitutes a subsidy either.
Came across this in the granny herald today:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10603270
Sounds as though Rodney Hide will be on his way to ballsing up a useful jobs initiative if he gets half a chance….
And in other news, the Nats have decided to hear all oral submissions on the ETS revisions today, less than 48 hours after submissions closed. They will be hearing only 27 submissions in 4.5 hours, which tells you everything you need to know about National’s “fuck you” attitude to democracy.
Jeebus.
WTF is Lockwood Smith doing stripping supplementary questions from parties during question time?
Because he can. Trevor must really annoy him.
I was listening rather than watching and my guess is that Lockwood made a slightly impetuous decision and his voice subsequently reflected some regret. (I can’t get it out my memory the image of Lockwood as quizmaster on TV all those years ago when he held the CONTROL and always seemed smug when he knew the answers and they did not. 🙂 )
I was listening too, the internet is too slow here for live streaming video but audio is mostly okay.
No doubt both sides were pushing the boundaries today, and I’m happy for some form of sanction to be taken against misbehaving members, but removing supplementary questions doesn’t seem like a good thing. Wasn’t there a “freedom of speech” issue just yesterday?